Construction of the new Western Sydney Airport has directly injected more than $100 million into local businesses, with more benefits expected for the surrounding area as the build continues.
A new timelapse animation demonstrates the significant engineering feat underway to build Western Sydney International (Nancy-Bird Walton) Airport, using 3D survey scans combined with high-grade satellite imagery to capture the evolving topography of the massive 1,780-hectare site.
Western Sydney Airport (WSA) Chief Executive Officer, Simon Hickey, said more than 20 million cubic metres of earth has been moved to date in what is one of the biggest earthmoving challenges in Australian history.
“Construction of Western Sydney International has already led to more than $100 million being contracted to businesses across Western Sydney and we are only at the beginning of the build,” Mr Hickey said.
“These Western Sydney businesses – from Indigenous businesses to small and family-run businesses – are delivering equipment and services we need to build Sydney’s new airport.
“Beyond this direct investment, we know the flow-on effects of this economic stimulus go much further when it comes to boosting the local economy, whether it’s the construction worker buying lunch at the local café or refueling at the local petrol station.”
“This is just the beginning – the employment and investment opportunities for Western Sydney will continue to significantly increase once terminal construction commences later this year and runway construction begins in 2022.”
Mr Hickey said WSA is continuing to exceed all employment targets for local, Indigenous and learning workers.
Half the project’s workforce is from Western Sydney, exceeding the construction phase target of 30 per cent.
From 2026 when the airport opens, at least 50 per cent of people working at the airport must be from Western Sydney.
“This project will be a game-changer for Western Sydney locals who want to work closer to home and have more time to spend with their families, not just in the construction phase, but for many decades to come,” Mr Hickey said.
Federal Minister for Communications, Urban Infrastructure, Cities and the Arts, Paul Fletcher, said, “By 2031, the airport alone will support 28,000 direct and indirect jobs, while the surrounding aerotropolis will provide career opportunities across a wide range of sectors, including technology, logistics, science, creative industries and agribusiness.”
Federal Member for Lindsay, Melissa McIntosh, called on more Western Sydney businesses to find out how the Western Sydney Airport can help their business.
“This is a once-in-a-lifetime infrastructure investment and we want to make sure that Western Sydney is at the front and centre of these emerging and exciting jobs and I encourage businesses in our community to see if there’s any opportunities for them to take full advantage of this investment,” Ms McIntosh said.
“I’m passionate about local jobs and ensuring our small businesses and families can be educated and work where we live. I look forward to seeing even more investment come into Western Sydney and I’ll continue to advocate for more jobs opportunities for our community.”
Two Way Cranes Founding Director, Frank Zammit, said he is proud to see his cranes at work on the airport construction site as a subcontractor on major earthworks.
“I’m a proud Bringelly boy and have lived in Western Sydney all my life – my family were local dairy farmers in the area – and watching the progress being made here and being a part of it is so exciting,” Mr Zammit said.
